Effects of Astragalus membranaceus root processed to different particle sizes on growth performance, antioxidant status, and serum metabolites of broiler chickens1

Abstract

The objectives of this study were to assess the effects of supplementation of Astragalus membranaceus root powder (AMP) and AMP processed to different particle sizes on growth performance, antioxidant status, and serum metabolites of broiler chickens. The experiment was conducted with one hundred twenty 1-d-old Arbor Acres broilers in 5 groups of 4 cages and for both starter (0 to 21 d) and grower (22 to 42 d) phases. The treatments were basal diet only (control) and basal diet supplemented with 5 g/kg of diet of AMP processed to particle sizes of 300, 149, 75, or 37 µm. Average daily gain, ADFI, and feed conversion rate (FCR) were determined weekly, and carcass yield, serum antioxidant enzyme activity, and metabolites were determined at 21 and 42 d of the experiment. Supplementation of AMP increased (P < 0.01) activities of total superoxide dismutase (TSOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx), but reduced (P < 0.01) concentrations of malondialdehyde (MDA) and cholesterol in the serum of chickens at 21 and 42 d. Reducing AMP particle sizes from 300 to 37 µm linearly increased (P < 0.01) TSOD and GSHPx activities at 21 and 42 d, but linearly decreased (P < 0.01) MDA at 42 d. Concentrations of total protein, albumin, and globulin in the serum were also increased (P < 0.05) or tended to be increased (P = 0.05 to 0.10) by AMP and linearly increased (P < 0.01) as the AMP particle sizes decreased. However, both treatments had no effect on ADG, ADFI, or FCR throughout the entire experiment period, although carcass yield increased (P < 0.05) at 42 d. Dietary supplementation of AMP at the concentration of 5 g/kg of diet enhanced serum antioxidant status and its efficacy linearly increased as the AMP particle size decreased from 300 to 37 µm, but had no effect on growth performance of broilers.

Effects of the stems and leaves of Astragalus membranaceus on growth performance, immunological parameters, antioxidant status, and intestinal bacteria of quail

“…Our results are similar to those of Wang et al (), who observed that supplementation of A. membranaceus root powder (1 mm) at different levels (5,000, 10,000, and 15,000 mg/kg) in the broilers diet for 42 days had no obvious effect on serum T‐SOD, but increased serum T‐AOC and enhanced serum GSH‐PX activity at the powder levels of no less than 10,000 mg/kg. However, these results slightly differ from those of Zhang, Yang, Wang, and Yang (), who concluded that dietary supplementation of A. membranaceus root powder with different particle sizes (300, 149, 74, and 37 μm) at a concentration of 5 g/kg in the diet could enhance the serum antioxidant status of broiler chickens by increasing SOD and GSH‐PX activities and reducing MDA concentrations. It seems that the different responses of SOD to the A. membranaceus plant might be ascribed to: (a) the plant particle size, which may affect the bioconversion process and therefore the feed efficiency; (b) the absolute amount of functional components, which is different between the A. membranaceus root and AMSL even at the same supplementation level; and (c) the feeding period.…”

Effect of Chinese herbal medicine on kinetics of plasma phenylalanine, tyrosine and whole body protein synthesis in sheep

“…The effect of Astragalus root and Angelica root on protein metabolism in nephrotic patients was studied by Li, Yu, and Pan (), who used [ 15 N]glycine as the tracer and found that Astragalus root and Angelica root could improve the disorder of protein metabolism and increase the net rate of protein synthesis. Zhang, Yang, Wang, and Yang () also reported that the supplementation of Astragalus root powder to basal diet could enhance protein metabolism (increased serum protein) in broiler chickens. Their findings are in good agreement with our present observation in sheep.…”

Effects Of Ultrafine Powder of the Stem and Leaf of Astragalus on Immunity in Chickens

“…In some researches, chicks treated with different levels of Astragalus membranaceus root powder in diet showed significant increases in absolute immune organ weights, serum total protein, albumin, A/G ratio and immunoglobulin type G compared to untreated one (Abdelrafea et al, 2013). Zhang et al (2013) reported that dietary supplementation of Astragalus root powder (ARP) at the concentration of 5 g/kg of diet enhanced serum antioxidant status in broilers. Astragalus tinctures could stimulate immune cells as quantified by CD69 expression on CD4 and CD8 T cells (Brush et al, 2006).…”